IN answer to John Andrews, of Malvern, about public comment on whether Malvern Hills Trust is a ‘public body’ (Gazette letters, August 23).

I acknowledge the trust is an unusually-constituted organisation.

The level of public interest means the trust has taken legal advice to ensure trustees are clear about the position.

There is no legal definition of ‘public body’ for all purposes.

However, we are grateful to Lord Attlee who asked a parliamentary question about this topic.

The response from Baroness Hayman of Ullock, parliamentary undersecretary at Defra on September 10, was the trust was not considered to be a public body.

The trust offers an explanation on its status in frequently-asked questions on our website at www.malvernhills.org.uk.

On other matters raised in letters, the trust’s funding is not 90 per cent from local taxation.

In 2023/24, 46 per cent of our total income originated from a levy on council tax payers from the wards of Malvern together with the parishes of Colwall, Guarlford and Mathon.

That percentage varies year on year with the average over the last seven years being 44.5 per cent.

We do thank levy payers for their key contribution.

We also receive income from car parking, grants from outside funding bodies, donations and other fundraising activities.

The trust doesn’t have the power to fundraise like other charities and that is something we are currently proposing.

The trust hasn’t recently changed the terminology to being a charity.

For all its 140-year lifespan its ‘duties’ have been entirely charitable.

In 1984 the trust formally registered with the Charity Commission.

I hope this helps and I appreciate this opportunity to introduce myself to readers.

I’ve been a regular visitor to the Malvern Hills and commons for 15 years.

I love the area and will relocate here fully soon.

Deborah Fox

Malvern Hills Trust CEO

I NOTE the concern Lyn Jenkins expresses about the spread of wind turbines in sensitive landscapes (Gazette letters, September 27).

He asks the residents of the Malverns how they would react to proposals for wind turbines on the hills.

There have recently been some suggestions on social media that Malvern Hills Trust’s governance change proposals would enable the hills to be used for developing solar and wind farms.

I would like to take this opportunity to reassure all those who love the Malvern Hills and commons that these suggestions have absolutely no factual basis and are categorically false.

The proposed changes will give the trust greater flexibility in fulfilling its key objectives of keeping the hills open and unbuilt on as open space for recreation and enjoyment of the public and preserving its natural appearance.

The trust will shortly be publishing the findings from the recent public consultation together with its proposals for drafting the Parliamentary Bill.

The board will decide in October whether to submit the bill which must be done by the end of November.

David Core

Malvern Hills Trust Board vice-chair

Write to letters@malverngazette.co.uk